Stapling device with drive assembly stop member

ABSTRACT

A stop member for use with a surgical stapling device includes a plurality of sections that are releasably coupled to each other. Each of the sections includes a coupling member that can be selectively coupled to a tool assembly of the surgical stapling device to limit an actuation stroke of a drive assembly of the stapling device. Sections of the stop member can be removed from the stop member to change the position of a stop surface of the stop member on the tool assembly to change the effective stroke length of the clamp member.

FIELD

This disclosure is generally related to a surgical stapling device including a tool assembly and, more particularly, to a surgical stapling device including tool assembly having a stop member for controlling a length of advancement of a drive assembly of the tool assembly.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices typically include a tool assembly having anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly that are movable in relation to each other between open and clamped positions. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge and a channel. The staple cartridge is removably supported within the channel to allow replacement of the staple cartridge after use to facilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device. Staple cartridges are available in a variety of lengths including, e.g., 30 mm, 45 mm, and 60 mm. The tool assembly includes a drive member including a knife bar that is movable along the length of the staple cartridge to fire rows of staples from the staple cartridge and cut tissue between the rows of staples.

In certain surgical procedures, e.g., sleeve gastrectomy procedures, the length of the staple cartridge may be longer than the tissue that must be stapled and cut. In such instances, when the stapling device is fired to eject the rows of staples from the staple cartridge, the staples ejected from the distal portion of the staple cartridge are ejected into a body cavity of the patient.

A continuing need exists in the stapling arts for a stapling device with structure that allows a clinician to more closely control a length of the staple line that is ejected from the tool assembly of the stapling device.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is directed to a stop member for use with a surgical stapling device that can be selectively placed on a tool assembly of the stapling device during a surgical procedure to change an effective stroke length of a drive assembly of the stapling device.

In aspects of this disclosure, a surgical stapling device includes an elongate body, a tool assembly, a drive assembly, and a stop member. The elongate body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tool assembly is supported on the distal portion of the elongate body and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil and cartridge assemblies are coupled to each other such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions. The drive assembly is supported within the elongate body and includes a clamp member that is movable in relation to the tool assembly between fully retracted and fully advanced positions to eject staples from the cartridge assembly. The stop member is selectively mountable to the tool assembly to limit movement of the drive assembly in relation to the tool assembly to a position between the fully retracted and advanced positions.

In other aspects of this disclosure, a stop member includes a base member and a plurality of coupling members. The base member includes a plurality of sections that are releasably coupled to each other. One of the plurality of coupling members is secured to each of the plurality of sections of the base member. The plurality of sections of the base member are separable from each other to change a length of the stop member.

In other aspects of the disclosure, a reload assembly includes a proximal body portion, a tool assembly, a drive assembly, and a stop member. The proximal body portion has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is adapted to releasably couple to a stapling device. The tool assembly is supported on the distal portion of the proximal body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil and cartridge assemblies are coupled to each other such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions. The drive assembly is supported within the proximal body portion and includes a clamp member having an I-beam configuration with a beam that is movable in relation to the tool assembly between fully retracted and fully advanced positions to eject staples from the cartridge assembly. The stop member is selectively mountable to the tool assembly to limit movement of the drive assembly in relation to the tool assembly to a position between the fully retracted and advanced positions.

In aspects of the disclosure, the stop member has a length and includes a plurality of sections that are coupled together and separable from each other to change the length of the stop member.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the sections of the stop member are coupled together by a frangible portion.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, each of the sections of the stop member includes a base member and a coupling member that is configured to couple the sections of the stop member to the tool assembly.

In aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple cartridge, and the channel member defines a central knife slot and a cavity that receives the staple cartridge.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the channel member includes an outer surface and the stop member is secured to the outer surface of the channel member.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the coupling member of each of the sections of the stop member is received within the central knife slot of the channel member of the cartridge assembly to couple the stop member to the channel member.

In aspects of the disclosure, each of the coupling members of the sections of the stop member includes resilient arms that are deformable inwardly to pass through the central knife slot of the channel member of the cartridge assembly.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the outer surface of the channel member defines a longitudinal channel and the central knife slot is positioned within the longitudinal channel such that the stop member is received within the longitudinal channel.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the clamp member of the drive assembly has an I-beam configuration and includes a beam that is movable through the longitudinal channel of the channel member into engagement with the stop member to limit longitudinal movement of the clamp member in relation to the tool assembly.

In aspects of the disclosure, the stop member includes a stop surface that is positioned to limit movement of the clamp member to the fully advanced position.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the position of the stop surface of the stop member is changeable by removing sections of the stop member.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly forms part of a reload assembly that is releasably coupled to the elongate body.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device including a tool assembly in an open position with a stop member in accordance with aspects of the disclosure separated from the tool assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a distal portion of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in the open position as the stop member is being secured to a tool assembly;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the stop member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the stop member shown in FIG. 4 after the stop member has been separated into two sections;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a drive assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a distal portion of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in the open position and the stop member secured to the tool assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the distal portion of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in a clamped and fired position and the stop member secured to the tool assembly and engaged with the drive assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of a stomach of a patient after the stomach has been resected during a sleeve gastrectomy procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical stapling device and stop member according to aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is used generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

A stop member is disclosed for use with a surgical stapling device that includes a plurality of sections that are releasably coupled to each other. The stop member includes a stop surface. Each of the sections of the stop member includes a coupling member that can be selectively coupled to a tool assembly of the surgical stapling device to limit an actuation stroke of a drive assembly of the stapling device. Sections of the stop member can be removed from the stop member to change the position of the stop surface of the stop member on the tool assembly to change the effective stroke length of the clamp member.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10. Stapling device 10 includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 16. The elongate body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” (FIG. 1) and includes a proximal end portion 14 a that is coupled to the handle assembly 12 and a distal end portion 14 b that supports the tool assembly 16. The tool assembly 16 is coupled to the elongate body 14 by a mounting assembly 20 that facilitates articulating movement of the tool assembly 16 in relation to the elongate body 14 between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 forms part of a reload assembly 18 which includes the tool assembly 16 and a proximal body portion 18 a. The proximal body portion 18 a of the reload assembly 18 is releasably coupled to the elongate body 14.

In aspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 is manually operated and includes a stationary handle 24, a movable handle 26, retraction knobs 28, a rotation knob 30, and an articulation lever 32. The movable handle 26 is movable in relation to the stationary handle 24 to actuate the tool assembly 16, i.e., move the tool assembly 16 between open and clamped positions, eject staples, and cut tissue. The rotation knob 30 supports the elongate body 14 and is coupled to the handle assembly 12 for rotation such that rotation of the rotation knob 30 causes rotation of the elongate body 14 and the tool assembly 16 about the longitudinal axis “X” in relation to stationary portions of the handle assembly 12. The articulation lever 32 is coupled to the tool assembly 16 and can be manipulated to move the tool assembly 16 from the non-articulated position to the articulated positions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (“the '139 Patent) and 7,424,965 (“the '965 Patent”) include detailed descriptions of exemplary components of the handle assembly 12 of the stapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated to have a manually operated handle assembly, it is envisioned that aspects of this disclosure are relevant to powered stapling devices including robotically controlled stapling devices. U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943 discloses exemplary aspects of a powered stapling device.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the tool assembly 16 which includes an anvil assembly 40 and a cartridge assembly 42. The anvil assembly 40 and the cartridge assembly 42 each have a linear configuration and include proximal ends 40 a, 42 a, respectively, that are secured to the mounting assembly 20. In aspects of the disclosure, the anvil assembly 40 and the cartridge assembly 42 are mounted to the mounting assembly 20 to facilitate pivotal movement of the cartridge assembly 42 in relation to the anvil assembly 40 between open and clamped positions. As illustrated, the anvil assembly 40 is stationary in relation to the mounting assembly 20 and the cartridge assembly 42 pivots about the pivot members 46 towards and away from the anvil assembly 40. It is envisioned that the cartridge assembly 42 could be stationary in relation to the mounting assembly 20 and the anvil assembly 40 could pivot about the pivot members 46 towards and away from the cartridge assembly 42.

The cartridge assembly 42 includes a channel member 44 and a staple cartridge 46. The staple cartridge 46 includes a cartridge body 48 that defines a central knife slot 50 (FIG. 2) and staple receiving pockets 52 positioned on each side of the central knife slot 50. Each of the staple receiving pockets 52 receives a staple (not shown) and a pusher (not shown) which is movable within the cartridge body 48 to eject the staple from the cartridge body 48. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple receiving pockets 52 are aligned in rows on each side of the central knife slot 50. Although three rows of staple receiving pockets 52 are shown on each side of the central knife slot 50, it is envisioned that two or more rows of staples receiving pockets 52 can be formed on each side of the central knife slot 50. It is also envisioned that the number of rows on the opposite sides of the central knife slot 50 need not be equal, e.g., three rows of staple receiving pockets 52 can be formed on one side of the central knife slot 50 and two rows of staple receiving pockets 52 can be formed on the other side of the central knife slot 50.

In aspects of the disclosure, the channel member 44 includes an outer surface 56 (FIG. 3) that defines a longitudinal channel 58 and an inner surface (not shown) that defines a cavity that receives the staple cartridge 46. The staple cartridge 46 can be configured to be releasably supported within the cavity defined by the channel member 44 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). Alternately, the staple cartridge 46 can be fixedly supported within the cavity of the channel member 44. The longitudinal channel 58 of the channel member 44 receives and guides a clamp member 62 of a drive assembly 60 (FIG. 6) as the clamp member 62 is moved between retracted and advanced positions as described in further detail below. The channel member 44 defines a knife slot 64 (FIG. 3) that is positioned within and extends along a portion of the length of the longitudinal channel 58.

The anvil assembly 42 includes an anvil plate 70 (FIG. 3) that defines a central knife slot 72 and a staple forming pockets 74 positioned on each side of the central knife slot 72. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple forming pockets 74 are aligned in rows on each side of the central knife slot 72. The number of rows of staple forming pockets 74 (FIG. 3) on each side of the central knife slot 72 will correspond to the number of rows of staple receiving pockets 52 (FIG. 2) in the staple cartridge 46 such that the when the tool assembly 16 is in the clamped position, each staple receiving pocket 52 will be in juxtaposed alignment with a respective staple forming pocket 74.

FIG. 3-5 illustrate a stop member 80 that can be coupled to the channel member 44 of the cartridge assembly 42 to limit distal movement of the drive assembly 60 (FIG. 6) as described in further detail below. In aspects of the disclosure, the stop member 80 is formed from a plurality of sections 82 that are releasably coupled to each other to allow the length of the stop member 80 to be selectively changed by a clinician. In some aspects of the disclosure, each of the sections 82 of the stop member 80 includes a base member 84 and a coupling member 86. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the coupling member 86 includes resilient arms that can be deformed inwardly (FIG. 8) and received within the central knife slot 64 of the channel member 44 to secure the base member 84 of each of the sections 82 of the stop member 80 within the longitudinal channel 58 of the channel member 44. When the resilient arms 86 pass through the central knife slot 64, the flexible arms 86 return to their undeformed positions to secure the resilient arms 86 within the channel member 44 (FIG. 9). It is envisioned that the coupling members 86 can assume a variety of different configuration. For example, the coupling members 86 could be in the form of a rib that is press fit into the central knife slot 64 of the channel member 44. As stated above, the length of the stop member 80 within the longitudinal channel 58 of the channel member 44 can be selectively changed by a clinician by separating a desired number of sections 82 of the stop member 82 from the stop member 82. The proximal-most section 82 a of the stop member 80 that is secured to the tool assembly 16 includes a stop surface 82 b that is positioned within the longitudinal channel 58 to obstruct movement of the clamp member 62 to its fully advanced position as described below.

In aspects of the disclosure, the sections 82 of the stop member 80 are coupled together by frangible portions 88 that can be separated from each other to shorten the length of the stop member 80. It is envisioned that the sections 82 of the stop member 80 can be coupled together using a variety of different types of couplings including interlocking structure, adhesives or the like.

FIG. 6 illustrates the drive assembly 60 which includes a flexible beam 90, a coupling 92, and the clamp member 62. The coupling 92 is supported on a proximal portion of the flexible beam 90 and the clamping member 62 is supported on the distal portion of the flexible beam 90. The coupling 92 is adapted to be coupled to a control rod (not shown) supported within the elongate body 14 (FIG. 1) of the stapling device 10 such that movement of the control rod (not shown) within the elongate body 14 causes corresponding movement of the flexible beam 90 from a retracted position to an advanced position to move the clamp member 62 through the tool assembly 16 from a fully retracted position to a fully advanced position.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the clamp member 62 of the drive assembly 60 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first beam 94, a second beam 96 and a strut 98. The strut 98 supports a knife blade 100. The first beam 94 is received within a channel (not shown) defined within the anvil assembly 40 when the clamp member 62 is moved between retracted and advanced positions in relation to the tool assembly 16 and the second beam 96 is received within the longitudinal channel 58 of the channel member 44 of the cartridge assembly 42 when the clamp member 62 is moved between retracted and advanced positions in relation to the tool assembly 16. U.S. Pat. No. 8,132,706 discloses operation of a drive assembly including a clamp member suitable for use in the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 10 illustrates the distal portion of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) with the tool assembly 16 in a clamped and fired position. When the stop member 80 is received within the longitudinal channel 58 of the channel member 44, the stop surface 82 b of proximal-most section 82 a of the stop member 80 is positioned to engage the beam 96 of the clamp member 62 to obstruct distal movement of the clamp member 62 along the channel member 44 beyond the proximal end of the stop member 80. As summarized above, the proximal-most section 82 a of the stop member 82 can be separated from the stop member 82 and discarded to change the length of the stop member 80 and the position of the stop surface 82 b on the tool assembly 16.

During a surgical procedure, such as a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, the staple line defined by staple cartridge may have a length “A” (FIG. 10) that is longer than that required to staple a tissue section. For example, during a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, multiple firings of the stapling device 10 may be required to staple and resect the stomach “S”. During such a procedure, the length of the tissue “B” that requires stapling and cutting may be shorter than the length “A” of the staple line defined by the staple cartridge 46 (FIG. 2). In such a situation, the clinician can couple the stop member 80 (FIG. 10) to the channel member 44 of the cartridge assembly 42 during the surgical procedure to limit advancement of the clamp member 62 through the tool assembly 16 to its fully advanced position within the tool assembly 16. The length of the stop member 80 can be selected by the clinician by removing sections 82 of the stop member 80 and securing the remaining stop member 80 to the tool assembly 16. By doing this, a staple line can be applied over a length that corresponds to the length “B” FIG. 11 of the tissue that requires stapling and cutting to avoid depositing staples into the body cavity of a patient.

Although the stop member 80 is shown to be releasably secured to the cartridge assembly 42, it is envisioned that the stop member 80 and the anvil assembly 40 could be adapted such that the stop member 80 could be selectively coupled to the anvil assembly 40 of the tool assembly 16. It is also noted that in the disclosed stapling device 10 (FIG. 1), the clamp member 62 moves from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly 16, i.e., eject staples and cut tissue, and the stop member 80 is positioned on a distal portion of the tool assembly 16. It is envisioned that the clamp member may move from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the stapling device. In such devices, it is envisioned that the stop member could be coupled to the proximal portion of the tool assembly.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical stapling device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil and cartridge assemblies coupled to each other such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions; a drive assembly supported within the elongate body, the drive assembly including a clamp member that is movable in relation to the tool assembly between fully retracted and fully advanced positions to eject staples from the cartridge assembly; and a stop member selectively mountable to the tool assembly to limit movement of the drive assembly in relation to the tool assembly to a position between the fully retracted and advanced positions.
 2. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the stop member has a length and includes a plurality of sections that are coupled together, the sections being separable from each other to change the length of the stop members.
 3. The surgical stapling device of claim 2, wherein the sections of the stop member are coupled together by a frangible portion.
 4. The surgical stapling device of claim 3, wherein each of the sections of the stop member includes a base member and a coupling member, the coupling members configured to couple the sections of the stop member to the tool assembly.
 5. The surgical stapling device of claim 4, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple cartridge, the channel member defining a central knife slot and a cavity that receives the staple cartridge.
 6. The surgical stapling device of claim 5, wherein the channel member includes an outer surface and the stop member is secured to the outer surface of the channel member.
 7. The surgical stapling device of claim 6, wherein the coupling member of each of the sections of the stop member is received within the central knife slot of the channel member of the cartridge assembly to couple the stop member to the channel member.
 8. The surgical stapling device of claim 7, wherein each of the coupling members of the sections of the stop member includes resilient arms that are deformable inwardly to pass through the central knife slot of the channel member of the cartridge assembly.
 9. The surgical stapling device of claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the channel member defines a longitudinal channel and the central knife slot extends within the longitudinal channel such that the stop member is received within the longitudinal channel.
 10. The surgical stapling device of claim 9, wherein the clamp member of the drive assembly has an I-beam configuration and includes a beam that is movable through the longitudinal channel of the channel member into engagement with the stop member to limit longitudinal movement of the clamp member in relation to the tool assembly.
 11. The surgical stapling device of claim 10, wherein the stop member includes a stop surface that is positioned to limit movement of the clamp member towards the fully advanced position.
 12. The surgical stapling device of claim 11, wherein the position of the stop surface of the stop member is changeable by removing sections of the stop member.
 13. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the tool assembly forms part of a reload assembly that is releasably coupled to the elongate body.
 14. A stop member comprising: a base member including a plurality of sections that are releasably coupled to each other; and a plurality of coupling members, one of the plurality of coupling members secured to each of the plurality of sections of the base member, wherein each of the plurality of sections of the base member is separable from the other sections to change a length of the stop member.
 15. The stop member of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of coupling members including resilient arms.
 16. The stop member of claim 14, wherein the sections of the base member include frangible portions which releasably couple the sections of the base member to each other.
 17. A reload assembly comprising: a proximal body portion having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion adapted to releasably couple to a stapling device; a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the proximal body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil and cartridge assemblies coupled to each other such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions; a drive assembly supported within the proximal body portion, the drive assembly including a clamp member having an I-beam configuration including a beam that is movable in relation to the tool assembly between fully retracted and fully advanced positions to eject staples from the cartridge assembly; and a stop member selectively mountable to the tool assembly to limit movement of the drive assembly in relation to the tool assembly to a position between the fully retracted and advanced positions.
 18. The reload assembly of claim 17, wherein the stop member has a length and includes a plurality of sections that are coupled together by a frangible portion, the sections being separable from each other to change the length of the stop member.
 19. The reload assembly of claim 18, wherein the outer surface of the channel member defines a longitudinal channel and a central knife slot, and the each of the sections of the stop member includes a coupling member that is received within the central knife slot to couple the stop member within the longitudinal channel of the channel member.
 20. The reload assembly of claim 19, wherein the beam of the clamp member is movable within the longitudinal channel of the channel member from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject staples from the cartridge assembly, and the stop member is selectively coupled within a distal portion of the longitudinal channel of the channel member to obstruct movement of the clamp member to its fully advanced position. 